As the coffee perked, the scent of Mason’s coffee brought back a flood of memories. I turned my back on Mike and Manny and blinked back tears. I missed my family so much. What the hell was I doing here, an entire world away from them?
Logan’s pain was like a sore tooth in my mind, reminding me that his need was more urgent. The kids were asleep, and Mason was recovering. My wolf side projected a series of images, a mother wolf hunting at night while her injured mate and cubs slept. We can do this.
I dried my tears with a dish towel and gathered cups and saucers.
Finally, the coffee was ready, and I placed fresh cups in front of each of us.
Manny slurped his coffee, then looked at me in surprise. “Did that treatment do something to my taste buds?”
“No, why? Does the coffee taste strange?” I sipped my coffee. “Tastes fine to me.”
Manny took an appreciative sip and smiled. “This is the best cup of coffee I’ve ever had in my life.”
“Thanks. I just used my husband’s recipe.”
“You’re married?” Manny’s eyes opened in surprise.
“Yes, Manny, I have a family. But you aren’t on a ‘need-to-know’ basis when it comes to my personal life. Let’s stick to our mission.”
“Okay, bruja,” said Manny. He flexed his healed hand and smiled. “Tell your grandmother I said thanks.”
13
Before I could answer, Mike interrupted, “Don’t call her a witch. She hates that. Now we need to talk about what you can do for us.”
Manny crossed his arms and leaned back. “Nah, I don’t think so. I already picked your asses up from the middle of the desert, got you forged documents, and drove you back to Riyadh. I think we’re even.”
Mike’s face grew red and he spluttered, “You can’t be serious!”
I leaned back and copied Manny’s crossed-arms gesture. “It’s okay, Mike. Manny’s right. He was a big help getting us this far.”
“She welded up that POS SUV of yours,” offered Mike.
“Which wouldn’t have needed repairs if I hadn’t gone to rescue you two,” countered Manny.
“I think the crash was more you veering off the road,” I said. “But that’s okay. You had an accident; I fixed your car.”
Manny sniffed in disdain. “I still have to buy a new wheel and rim.”
I pulled out a Krugerrand and placed it on the table in front of him. “Will this cover the tire?”
He picked up the coin and hefted it in his hand to feel the weight. “Yeah, this’ll cover the tire.”
Manny looked back and forth between Mike and me. “I thought Mike was in charge and you came to make coffee and identify the hostages. But you’re the one controlling the purse strings.”
“I made the coffee because Mike makes terrible coffee. We’re a team. Each does what they do best.”
Manny took another sip of his coffee. “You’re CIA, aren’t you?”
I leaned back and smiled. “Sorry, Manny. You don’t have need-to-know clearance about who I work for. But it’s not the CIA. Let’s just say that I have contacts in the highest levels of the US government.”
Manny rubbed his coin between thumb and forefinger. “But you need my help. A washed-up, retired SEAL with medical problems.” He shook his head in dismissal. “You could get a few dozen Marines for support by calling the embassy.”
“I have reason to believe that there is someone leaking information about our mission. That leak resulted in the deaths of our squad. I decided not to call anyone else for backup. Mike said you were trustworthy, and here we are.”
“And you need me.” A statement, not a question.
“We could use your help,” I countered. “But I’m prepared to go ahead alone.”
Manny held up the coin. “How many more of these do you have?”
“I didn’t think you’d become a mercenary after retirement,” said Mike in surprise.
“I’m still loyal to the US,” said Manny, “but I have health issues and half a crappy pension.” He tilted his head and added, “And something tells me that if I help you, I won’t have a job here anymore.”
“We cured your gout,” insisted Mike. “Something a dozen doctors couldn’t do. That should be worth a lot.”
Obliged to be honest, I said, “It’s not really cured, Mike. If he drinks too much and doesn’t eat healthy, it’ll come back in a few years.”
Mike jerked a thumb at Manny angrily. “Yesterday, he was a hunched-over wretch who couldn’t walk or use his left hand. Today he’s all bad attitude.”
I shook my head at Mike to stop that line of conversation. “Pick a number, Manny,” I said. “Then we’ll see if our budget can cover it.”
Manny’s eyes gleamed and he opened his mouth to speak.
I held up one finger to stop him. “Think carefully. So far on this mission, the survival rate has been twenty percent.”
I could tell Manny had mentally doubled his number at my comment.
“Five hundred thousand dollars,” Manny said. When I didn’t object, he hastily added, “Plus expenses.”
“Deal,” I said, and we shook on it.
Mike had a shocked look on his face. I would have to give him a raise soon.
“Are you ready to pay?”
I laughed and pointed at my T-shirt clad torso, “Manny, does it look like I have a half-million dollars stuffed into my bra?”
Manny stared at my breasts, then laughed. “Hell, you’re not even wearing a bra. Let me give you my banking details.”
“I can’t do a bank transfer now. Everyone thinks Mike and I are dead. Setting up a transfer would set off alarms all over the world.”
“You expect me to risk my life for the promise of a payoff later? How do I know you won’t screw me?”
Mike coughed and exchanged a look with Manny. He made a complicated hand gesture I couldn’t decipher.
“Okay, Mike vouches for you.” He took another sip of his coffee. “Still, the odds are bad, according to you.
